The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre announced the return of its 24th annual Spirit Seekers Youth Conference. The 24th annual Spirit Seekers Youth Conference aims to bring Indigenous youth together to celebrate their rich heritage, share stories and build connections.
The conference is an opportunity for the youth to come in and take part in the opening ceremonies, and youth role model awards. Take part in workshops, listen to keynote speakers, and facilitators, participate in round dances, and pipe ceremonies, have conversations with elders and much more.
The Spirit Seekers Youth Conference is planned and facilitated by the youth planning committee. The youth get to make the decisions and selections, they MC the ceremonies, choose the facilitators and much more. The event is based on what they want to learn, what they’re interested in and how the adults can help them reach their goals.
Sheila Moerkoert who is an organizer of the Spirit Seekers Youth Conference expresses how letting the youth have control is extremely beneficial to them.
The conference focuses on empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders while fostering an encouraging learning environment. The event is based off of the medicine wheel, the facilitators that the youth choose are based off of the four quadrants mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. This allows for the conference to be well rounded for everyone.
Sheila Moerkoert says the goal of the conference is for the youth to leave feeling empowered and wanting to make a difference in their communities.
The Spirit Seekers Youth Conference takes place on May 24 and 25 at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie and all youth aged 14 to 17 are encourgaed and welcomed to attend.
For more information check out the Grande Prairie Spirit Seekers Youth Conferemce Facebook page where facilitators, keynote speakers and updates will be posted.
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